U.S. patent number 6,710,302 [Application Number 10/284,983] was granted by the patent office on 2004-03-23 for vehicle sensor assembly including integral heating unit.
Invention is credited to Mark Rennick.
United States Patent |
6,710,302 |
Rennick |
March 23, 2004 |
Vehicle sensor assembly including integral heating unit
Abstract
A sensor assembly includes an integral heating unit. The sensor
assembly includes a sensor housing which can be attached to an
exterior surface of a vehicle. A transducer is seated in the sensor
housing. The transducer is configured to receive interrogation
signals from a controller and to transmit signals in response to
the interrogation signals. A heating unit is positioned in the
sensor housing. The heating unit includes a shell including a
recess which is sized and configured to receive the transducer. A
heating coil formed of a high resistance wire is embedded in the
shell. The heating coil is configured to radiate heat to warm the
transducer to melt built up ice and snow which can block signals
emitted by the transducer.
Inventors: |
Rennick; Mark (Ackworth,
GA) |
Family
ID: |
31978015 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/284,983 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/202; 219/209;
219/544; 340/435; 340/436; 340/903; 340/904 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S
15/04 (20130101); G01S 15/931 (20130101); G01S
7/521 (20130101); G01S 2015/938 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01S
15/04 (20060101); G01S 15/00 (20060101); G01S
15/93 (20060101); G01S 7/521 (20060101); B60L
001/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;219/202,209,544,201
;340/941,943,933,552-564,903,435-436,904 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Jeffery; John A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis,
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An object proximity sensor assembly for a vehicle comprising: a
sensor housing configured for attachment to an external surface of
said vehicle, a recess being formed in said sensor housing; a
heating unit fitted into said recess and comprising: a solid,
single layer shell including a side wall; an opening surrounded by
said shell side wall; and a heating coil embedded in said shell
side wall; and a sensor seated in said opening and configured to
emit interrogation signals into the ambient environment to detect
the presence of an object or sense an ambient environmental
condition representative of the proximity of an object and generate
signals representative of the environmental condition.
2. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said sensor is
configured to emit ultrasound signals.
3. The sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein said sensor is a
piezoelectric transducer.
4. The sensor assembly of claim 1, including an amplifier connected
in series with said sensor, said amplifier being configured to
receive said signals generated by said sensor representative of the
environmental condition and amplify said signals.
5. The sensor assembly of claim 1, including an isolator seated in
said shell opening, said isolator including a side wall which
surrounds an isolator recess; and said sensor being fitted into
said isolator recess.
6. The sensor assembly of claim 5, wherein said isolator is formed
of a flexible material and said sensor is compressed by said
isolator in said recess.
7. The sensor assembly of claim 6, wherein said isolator side wall
extends upward from a bottom wall and includes an upper rim
extending into said isolator recess; and said sensor is trapped in
said isolator recess between said upper rim and said bottom
wall.
8. The sensor assembly of claim 7, including an amplifier which is
connected in series with said sensor and is positioned in said
isolator recess.
9. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said shell is formed of
an injection moldable polycarbonate material.
10. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said shell side wall
has a thickness between 2.5 and 4.0 mm.
11. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said heating coil is
formed from 22 gage wire.
12. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said shell side wall
has top and bottom surfaces; and said heating coil is formed from a
length of wire helically coiled within said shell side wall, said
wire having a first end which originates at said shell side wall
bottom surface and a second end which extends transversely along
said opening toward said bottom surface to terminate adjacent said
first wire end.
13. The sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein a groove is formed
along said shell side wall adjacent said opening and extends
transversely between said top and bottom surfaces; and said wire
second end extends along said groove toward said bottom
surface.
14. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein said heating coil is
formed from a length of wire which is helically wound around an
interior of said shell side wall in a plurality of windings; and
each of said plurality of windings are spaced apart by a distance
between 0.7 and 2.0 mm.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a vehicle sensor assembly and,
more particularly, to a vehicle sensor assembly including an
integral heating unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Proximity detection systems are increasingly included on vehicles.
These detection systems supplement the vehicle driver's vision by
sensing the presence of objects which are located in the driver's
blind spots or are otherwise difficult for the driver to see.
Typical detection systems include a number of sensors which are
positioned at various locations on the vehicle. The sensors can be
any suitable sensors, such as ultrasonic, infrared or radar
transducers. The sensors are in communication with a central
controller, such as a microprocessor or engine control unit. The
controller regulates the actuation of a user interface which is
configured to generate an audio and/or visual warning to the
vehicle driver. If one or more of the sensors detects an object
within a predetermined proximity of the vehicle, a signal is
transmitted to the controller. The controller processes this signal
and transmits a control signal to the user interface. A warning is
then generated by the user interface to alert the driver of the
presence of the object.
A disadvantage of traditional detection systems is that reliability
is often compromised during inclement weather. Ice, frost or snow
built up on or around the sensors or the sensor housing impairs the
ability of the sensors to operate satisfactorily. For instance,
where the sensor is an ultrasonic sensor, accumulated snow or ice
on the sensor housing blocks the transmission of signals from the
sensor. The accumulation also prevents the sensor from receiving
ultrasonic waves deflected from an object near the vehicle.
Prevented from reliable signal transmission and receipt, the sensor
is rendered useless.
Recent attempts were made to prevent cold weather conditions such
as ice and snow from impairing the performance of proximity
detection systems. One result of these attempts are detection
systems which include a heating element positioned in each sensor
housing. The heating element is activated by the controller upon
receipt of an appropriate trigger signal. For instance, the
controller could be triggered to activate the heating coil if a
vehicle external temperature sensor detects a temperature below a
predetermined threshold. Once activated, the heating element heats
the sensor and the surrounding sensor housing, thus melting the ice
and snow.
While such detection systems were created for improved performance,
they typically suffer from one or more deficiencies. The heating
elements in these systems are generally either too large or poorly
positioned. The result is often a sensor which either continuously
detects itself or which detects nothing. The former condition
results where the heating element deflects signals back to the
sensor; the later where the signals are blocked by the heating
element but not deflected back to the sensor. Attempts were made to
minimize or reposition the heating element to correct this problem.
However, these attempts yielded heating elements which were too
small or too remote from the front of the sensor to effectively
remove built up snow and ice and to maintain the sensor housing
free from such accumulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to a new and useful sensor assembly. The
sensor assembly includes a sensor housing configured for attachment
to an external surface of a vehicle. A transducer is positioned in
the sensor housing and is configured to receive interrogation
signals from a controller. The sensor assembly also includes a
heating unit. The heating unit includes a solid, single layer shell
configured to receive the transducer. A heating coil is embedded in
the shell. The heating coil is configured to radiate heat as a
result of current applied across the coil. The radiated heat warms
the transducer, causing snow and ice to melt and preventing further
accumulation thereon.
The heating unit is created by winding a length of wire around a
core to form a work piece. The core is positioned in a mold. Heated
plastic material is injected into the mold. The temperature of the
heated plastic material is sufficient to melt the core. The result
is a solid shell including a heating coil embedded therein.
Owing to the structure of this assembly, a heating unit is created
which is suitable for use with various sensor assemblies. Since the
heating coil is formed around and supported by a core which is
sacrificed during construction, the heating coil can be formed from
a delicate wire having a relatively small diameter. Additionally,
since the heating coil is formed in the interior of the sensor
shell, appropriate sizing of this component will prevent the
heating coil from interfering with signal transmission or
reception. The result is a heating unit with a heating element
which is sized to sufficiently heat the surrounding sensor housing
while being appropriately sized and positioned to not interfere
with sensor function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention is pointed out with particularity in the
accompanying claims. The above and further features and benefits of
this invention are better understood by reference to the following
detailed description, as well as by reference to the following
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle bumper including a sensor
assembly with integral heating unit according to the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the FIG. 1 sensor assembly;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2 sensor assembly
along the section lines 6--6;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heating unit of the FIG. 2
sensor assembly;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the FIG. 4 heating unit along
the section lines 4--4;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the sensor assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a side view of a wire wrapped work piece utilized to form
the FIG. 4 heating unit;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the FIG. 7 wire wrapped work
piece along the section lines 8--8; and
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the FIG. 7 wire wrapped work
piece positioned in a mold during formation of the FIG. 4 heating
unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a bumper 12 of
a vehicle 14. Mounted on the vehicle bumper 12 are two sensor
assemblies 10. Each sensor assembly 10 includes a mounting socket
16, or sensor housing, in which other sensor assembly components
are seated. Each mounting socket 16 is attached to an outer surface
18 of the vehicle bumper 12 by one or more bolts 20.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, one of the sensor assemblies 10 is
illustrated in greater detail. The mounting socket 16 is composed
of polypropylene or another material which will not degrade when
exposed to various environmental conditions, such as fiberglass
filled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) or short linked carbon
fiber. The material is also strong enough to withstand at least
minor impacts. The mounting socket 16 is constructed of a face
plate 22 and a back plate 24. The face plate 22 has a front surface
26 and a back surface 28. The face plate 22 defines a central
recess 30 which is sized and shaped to house other sensor assembly
components. An upper portion of the central recess 30 projects
inward to form a rim 32 (FIG. 3). The face plate front surface 26
preferably curves away from the central recess 30 in all
directions, as illustrated. Such contouring prevents the mounting
socket 16 from blocking signals transmitted to and from the sensor
assembly 10. The central recess 30 is flanked by two piers 34 which
extend from the back surface 28. Each pier 34 defines a well 36
that is sized to receive a screw 38 which secures the back plate 24
to the face plate 22.
A sleeve 40 projects from a back surface 42 of the back plate 24.
The sleeve 40 defines a central opening 44 which is sized to
facilitate electrical connection between sensor assembly components
and electrical components positioned external to the sensor
assembly 10 mounted elsewhere on the vehicle 14. The sleeve 40 acts
as a guide during installation of the complete assembly 10. The
sleeve 40 also provides protection to the various wires extending
from other sensor assembly components so the wires are not damaged
during or chaffed after installation. Two bores 46 extend through
the back plate 24 on opposite sides of the sleeve 40. Each bore 46
is preferably countersunk to receive the head of one screw 38. When
the mounting socket 16 is assembled, each bore 46 is aligned with
one of the wells 36 in the face plate back surface 28 to receive a
screw 38.
The sensor assembly 10 includes a sensor, transducer 48. The
transducer 48 illustrated herein is a piezoelectric transducer such
as those manufactured by Coligen Corporation in Zhuhai, China. The
transducer 48 is configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic
signals between 20 KHz and 140 KHz, most commonly signals of about
40 KHz. It should be appreciated that the present invention is
suitable for use with other types of sensors, including those
configured to generate infrared or radar signals. A wire 50 extends
between the transducer 48 and a control unit 52 (FIG. 6) positioned
external to the sensor assembly 10. The transducer 48 receives
activation signals generated by the control unit 52 via the wire
50. The transducer 48, in response to the activation signals, emits
a short period ultrasonic pulse signal to the ambient environment.
After the pulse is emitted, the transducer 48 receives any
reflected ultrasonic pulse and generates object sensed signals as a
function of the received reflected pulse.
The transducer 48 has an outer shell 54 formed of a suitable
material, such as aluminum. The outer shell 54 is a die cast
component formed from a circumferentially extending side wall. The
outer shell 54 has a closed upper end 56 and an open lower end 58.
The outer shell 54 of the transducer 48 houses a solid silicone
core (not shown). Embedded within the silicone core is a
piezoelectric wafer (not shown). To manufacture the transducer 48,
a first amount of silicone is injected into the shell 54. Once the
silicone is partially set, a piezoelectric wafer is positioned on
the silicone. The partially set silicone and the piezoelectric
wafer are covered with a second amount of silicone which fills the
remainder of the shell 54.
Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor assembly 10 includes a low
voltage amplifier 60, such as those manufactured by Coligen
Corporation. The amplifier 60 is preferably a high impedance, low
gain amplifier. Optimally, the gain across the amplifier 60 is less
than ten. The amplifier 60 is installed in series with the
transducer 48. A wire 62 extends from the amplifier 60 for
electrical connection to the control unit 52. Signals transmitted
by the transducer 48 toward the control unit 52 for processing are
first received by the amplifier 60 via a wire (not shown). The
amplifier 60 amplifies these signals and transmits the augmented
signals to the control unit 52 for processing via the wire 62. In
some versions of the invention, the amplifier 60 may also filter
out noise from the signal produced by the transducer 48.
It should be appreciated that the amplifier 60 could be omitted
from the sensor assembly 10. In such an assembly, the transducer 48
would transmit signals directly to the control unit 52. However,
signals generated by a transducer, such as that illustrated herein,
tend to rapidly degrade in quality when transmitted over distances
greater than about nine feet. Thus, where the transducer 48 is
located greater than nine feet from the control unit 52, such as
when the sensor assembly 10 is positioned on a bus or other large
vehicle, signal quality can be extremely poor. Use of the amplifier
60 to filter and amplify signals from the transducer 48 is
therefore preferable to ensure that a strong, reliable signal is
received by the control unit 52.
Returning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the transducer 48 and amplifier 60
are seated in an isolator 64. The isolator 64 is a tubular member
formed with a side wall 66 which extends upward from a bottom wall
68. The isolator 64 is formed from a suitable material, such as
silicone. The side and bottom walls 66 and 68 surround a central
recess 70 which is sized to snugly receive the transducer 48 and
the amplifier 60. An upper surface 72 of the side wall 66 extends
into the recess 70 to form a rim 74. While the transducer 48 and
the amplifier 60 are compressed within the recess 70, the rim 74
provides an additional barrier to prevent these components from
sliding out of the isolator 64. A central opening 71 is formed in
the bottom wall 68 of the isolator 64. The central opening 71 is
sized to receive the wires 50 and 62 which extend from the
transducer 48 and the amplifier 60 when the sensor assembly 10 is
assembled.
The isolator 64 is seated in a heating unit 76 positioned in the
mounting socket central recess 30. The heating unit 76 is now
described by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The heating unit 76
includes a shell 78 formed of a suitable plastic material, such as
polycarbonate plastic or other injection moldable material.
Examples of suitable polycarbonate material are those materials
sold under the trademarks MAKROLON by Bayer and LEXAN by General
Electric Corporation, each of which have a melt point of about
310.degree. F. The shell 78 has a tubular side wall 80 formed of
the molded material. The side wall 80 has a top surface 82 and a
bottom surface 84. A recess 86 is defined by the side wall 80. The
side wall 80 has an inner facing surface 88 adjacent the recess 86
and an opposing outer facing surface 90. A groove 92 is formed in
the inner facing surface 88 and extends transversely along the
recess 86.
A heating coil 94 is disposed inside the shell 78. The heating coil
94 is composed of a length of high resistance wire 96 which is
wound to form a coil. The wire 96 diameter is sufficiently large to
allow the heating coil 94 to radiate adequate heat to warm the
transducer 48 and the mounting socket 16. Preferably, the wire 96
is 22 gage wire. The wire 96 has a first end 98 which extends
transversely within the groove 92 and terminates adjacent the shell
wall bottom surface 84. A second end 100 of the wire 96 extends
downward from within the shell wall 80 and terminates adjacent the
first end 98. Termination of the wire first and second ends 98 and
100 in such an orientation is desirable to facilitate connection of
the heating coil 94 to a current source 102 (FIG. 6) via wires
104.
To manufacture the heating unit 76, a length of wire 96 is wound
around a core 106 that has a generally tubular shape. Referring now
in addition to FIGS. 7 and 8, the core 106 is formed of a suitable
material, such as the polycarbonate plastic utilized to form the
shell 78. The core 106 is a hollow component formed with a tubular
wall 108. The wall 108 has an upper end 110 and a lower end 112.
The wall 108 includes an inner surface 114 adjacent the hollow core
106 interior and an opposing outer surface 116. A helically shaped
groove 118 is formed along the outer surface 116 of the core 106.
The groove 118 winds around the outside of the core 106 between the
wall upper and lower ends 110 and 112. A groove 120 extends
longitudinally along the wall inner surface 114 between the wall
upper and lower ends 110 and 112. An upper end 122 of the groove
120 opens into the groove 118 near the upper end 110 of the core
106. The width of each groove 118 and 120 is fractionally larger
than the diameter of the wire 96.
A work piece 124 is formed by winding the wire 96 around the core
106 in the groove 118 with the wire first end 98 extending downward
from the lower core end 112. The wire second end 100 is inserted in
the groove 120 and extends along the core inner surface 114. The
wire second end 100 terminates adjacent the wire first end 98
projecting downward from the core 106, as illustrated.
It should be appreciated that the heating coil 94 can be formed
around a core 106 which omits the grooves 118 and 120. However,
guiding the wire 96 in the groove 118 ensures that the wire 96 is
wound around the core 106 in the desired number of windings.
Guiding the wire 96 is the groove 118 also ensures that a
consistent spacing is maintained between the wire 96 windings
during molding of the heating unit 76. Further, guiding the wire
second end 100 in the groove 120 ensures the wire second end 100
terminates sufficiently close to the wire first end 98 to allow the
heating coil 94 to be securely wired to the current source 102.
The work piece 124 is positioned in a mold 126, as illustrated in
FIG. 9. In some preferred versions of the invention, the mold is
closed and the work piece 124 is heated to a temperature of
250.degree. F. An amount of polycarbonate resin is pressurized to a
pressure between 12000 and 20000 PSI and, in some preferred
versions of the invention, at about 14200 PSI. This pressurization
causes the polycarbonate resin to liquefy. As a result of the
pressurization, the polycarbonate is heated to a temperature of
about 370.degree. F.
Once the molten polycarbonate and the work piece 124 reach their
respective desired temperatures, the molten polycarbonate is
injected into the mold 126 through the inflow port 128. Molten
polycarbonate surrounds the outer surface 116 of the core 106 and
the exposed surfaces of the wire 96. In a preferred version of this
invention, the open space in the mold 126 surrounding the work
piece 124 is filled by the molten polycarbonate in approximately
one half of a second.
As the molten polycarbonate surrounds the work piece 124, heat is
radiated through the core tubular wall 108. The core 106
polycarbonate starts to liquefy and fuse with the injected
polycarbonate. Extra polycarbonate material which may be present in
the mold 126 exits the mold through an outflow port 130. Owing to
the pressure and viscosity of the polycarbonate and the speed with
which the liquid polycarbonate material in the mold 126 sets, the
heating coil 94 remains static during injection. When the injected
and core 106 polycarbonate in the mold 126 sets, the result is a
solid shell 78 including an embedded heating coil 94 formed from
the fused core 106 material and injected material. In a preferred
version of the invention, approximately three second elapse between
closing of the mold 126 to opening the mold to reveal a completed
heating unit 76.
To determine the configuration of the work piece 124 and the shell
78 to be manufactured, materials and final system characteristics
are considered. These characteristics include the inherent
properties of the polycarbonate material used to form the shell 78
and the size and shape of the transducer 48 and mounting socket 32
with which the heating unit 76 will be used. Factors influenced by
these characteristics include the wall thickness of the shell 78,
the size and shape of the molded shell 78, the number of windings
of the wire 96 around the core 106 and the spacing between the wire
96 windings.
Regarding the thickness of the shell wall 80, the shell 78 should
have a wall thickness which is large enough to ensure a robust
heating unit 76 and small enough to sufficiently conduct heat. The
thickness of the shell wall 80 is preferably at least 2.5 mm and
less than 4.0 mm. A shell wall 80 having a thickness of less than
2.5 mm is too delicate for assembly into and use with most sensor
assemblies. Additionally, a shell wall 80 thickness less than 2.5
mm is not sufficiently sized to properly encase the heating coil
94. Further, while the strength of the wall 80 increases as the
thickness increases, the polycarbonate material used to form the
shell 78 is not an optimal conductor of heat. Thus, when the shell
wall 80 has a thickness greater than about 4.0 mm, heat produced by
the coil 94 will not be adequately transferred to the transducer 48
and the mounting socket 16 to melt snow and ice from these
components.
Regarding the configuration of the molded shell 78, transducers are
available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The shell 78 is sized
and shaped appropriately so that signals transmitted by the
transducer 48 are not blocked by any portion of the shell 78. The
shell 78 also has a recess 86 which is sufficiently sized to
receive the transducer 48 and other sensor assembly components.
Similarly, the shell 78 is also sized and shaped to be received by
the mounting socket 16.
Transducer 48 size also influences the number of wire 96 windings
of the heating coil 94 and the spacing between windings. The number
and spacing of the windings of the wire 96 should be such that the
heating coil 94 produces a sufficient amount of heat to prevent
snow and ice from interfering with sensor performance.
Additionally, when the transducer 48 is an ultrasonic transducer,
the spacing of the wire 96 windings should be such that the
ultrasonic signals emitted by the transducer 48 are not
reverberated back into the sensor assembly 10. When the transducer
48 is configured as illustrated herein, the windings for the coil
94 are preferably spaced at about 0.7 to 2.0 mm, and optimally at
about 1.0 mm.
Regarding the number of wire 96 windings in the heating coil 94, a
heating unit 76 designed to accommodate a transducer 48 having of
various diameters may contain a coil 94 having an increased or
decreased number of windings in the wire 96. A heating unit 76
designed to carry a transducer having a diameter of 2.0 cm may
include a coil 94 having six windings of the wire 96 whereas a
heating unit 76 designed to carry a transducer having a diameter of
3.0 cm may include a coil 94 having ten windings. An increase in
the number of wire 96 windings will result in a slight increase in
the wattage required by the heating unit 76. However, the overall
wattage requirement will remain under seven watts.
ASSEMBLY
To assemble the sensor assembly 10, the transducer 48 and amplifier
60 are electrically connected via one or more wires (not shown).
The wire 50 is then connected to the transducer 48 and the wire 62
is connected to the amplifier 60 to facilitate electrical
connection of these components to the control unit 52. The
amplifier 60 and transducer 48 are fitted in the isolator 64 so the
wires 50 and 62 extend through the opening 71. The flexible
silicone forming the isolator 64 compresses the amplifier 60 and
the transducer 48 when these components are positioned in the
isolator recess 70. The transducer 48 and the amplifier 60 are
further secured in the isolator 64 between the bottom wall 68 and
the rim 74.
The isolator assembly is then seated in the heating unit 76 in the
recess 86 and secured therein by a press fit as the isolator 64 is
compressed by the shell 78 to approximately a 0.5 mm compressive
fit. This compression of the isolator 64 by the shell 78 further
secures the transducer 48 and the amplifier 60 within the recess
70. This subassembly is then fitted into the central recess 30 of
the mounting socket 16 so the wires 50 and 62 extend through the
opening 44. The back plate 24 is positioned against the back
surface 28 of the face plate 22 so the bores 46 are aligned with
the wells 36. Screws 38 are then inserted into the bores 46 and
threaded into the wells 36 to secure the other sensor assembly 10
components in the mounting socket 16. The mounting socket is then
attached to the outer surface 18 of a vehicle 14 by one or more
bolts 20.
OPERATION
The heating coil 94 is activated in response to any suitable
vehicular or environmental condition. For instance, the heating
coil 94 may be activated when a temperature sensor 132 in the
vehicle 14 detects an external temperature below a minimum
threshold, for instance 40.degree. F. The control unit 52 receives
data signals from the temperature sensor 132 representative of the
detected temperature. When the detected temperature is below a
predetermined minimum, the control unit 52 generates a signal which
closes a switch 134 located between the current source 102 and the
heating coil 94.
Once the switch 134 is closed, current flows between the current
source 102 and the heating coil 94. As current flows through the
heating coil 94, the wire 96 radiates heat. Heat radiated by the
wire 96 is conducted by the shell 78 and transferred through the
isolator 64 to the transducer 48. The radiated heat also warms the
front surface 22 of the mounting socket 16. As the transducer 48
and the mounting socket front surface 22 are warmed, accumulated
snow and ice melt from the transducer 48 and the mounting socket
16. The heating coil 94 continues to radiate heat until the control
unit 52 opens the switch to end current flow to the heating coil
94.
The control unit 52 could be programmed to open the switch 134
after a predetermined period of time or upon any suitable
environmental condition, such as the elevation of environmental
temperature above the minimum threshold. Alternatively, the switch
134 may be opened and/or closed in response to a vehicular
condition, such as activation or deactivation of the vehicle 14
defrost cycle. It is further envisioned that a delay of 5 to 20
minutes from the time that the temperature sensor indicates that
the environmental temperature has risen above the preset point for
the switch to open will improve performance of the system by
anticipating that material from the road surface may be deposited
on the sensor and require removal by melting.
At the desired time, such as when the vehicle 14 speed falls below
a minimum threshold such as 8 mph, the control unit 52 transmits
activation signals to the transducer 48. In response to the
activation signals, short period ultrasonic pulse signals are
emitted into the ambient environment by the transducer 48. Any
reflected ultrasonic pulses are received by the transducer 48,
which then generates object sensed signals in response to the
received reflected pulses. Since snow or ice built up on or around
the transducer 48 was removed, the ultrasonic pulse signals and the
reflected signals are not blocked. The transducer 48 continues to
transmit and receive signals until the control unit 52 signals the
transducer 48 to cease signal emission.
The heating unit 76 includes a small, delicate heating coil 94
embedded in a shell 78 which houses the transducer 48. Owing to the
small size of the heating coil 94 and the configuration thereof,
signals transmitted from the transducer 48 are neither blocked nor
deflected by the heating coil 94. The heating coil 94 is
sufficiently sized and tuned to radiate adequate heat within the
mounting socket 16 to sufficiently clear the transducer 48 and the
mounting socket 16 of snow and ice. The sensor assembly 10 of the
present invention thus has a heating unit 76 that heats the
transducer 48 to ensure the assembly 10 operates in inclement
weather and does not interfere with performance of the assembly. In
addition, the heating unit 76 can be shaped in any suitable manner
for use with various transducers and mounting/installation
techniques.
It should be appreciated that the foregoing description is for the
purposes of illustration only, and further alternative embodiments
of this invention are possible without departing from the scope of
the claims. While the present sensor assembly is illustrated with a
heating unit 76 including a shell 78 having a single heating coil
94 embedded therein, the heating unit 76 could instead include
multiple coils 94 embedded in the shell 78. For instance, two
heating coils 94 could be embedded in the shell wall 80. The number
and spacing of the wire 94 windings in the multiple coils 94 could
be either identical or different. The coils 94 could be connected
to the current source 102 either individually or together. The
determination of whether to conduct heat through one or more of the
coils 94 could be made based on any suitable vehicular or
environmental condition, such as ignition of the vehicle or
temperature detected by the temperature sensor 100. Further, each
of the heating coils 94 could be electrically connected to a
multi-state switch. These heating coils 94 could be controlled so
that the amount of heat produced by the multiple coils 94 is
inversely proportional to the ambient temperature.
In addition to the above modifications, the heating unit 76 could
be formed so that the transducer 48 is integral therewith. To
manufacture such a heating unit, the transducer 48 is positioned in
the mold 126 within the work piece 124. Molten plastic is injected
into the mold 126 to surround the work piece 124 and the transducer
48. Once the molten plastic material is set, the result is a shell
78 having an embedded heating coil 94 and transducer 48 molded
therein.
Additionally, the amplifier 60 could also be molded integral with
the shell 78. Here the work piece 124 is configured so that when
the transducer 48, amplifier 60 and work piece 124 are positioned
in the mold 126, only the transducer 48 is surrounded by the coiled
wire 96. The transducer 48 and the amplifier 60 could additionally
be spaced apart in the mold 124 so that molten plastic could form a
layer between these components. This might be preferable to prevent
the amplifier 60 from being exposed to heat from the heating coil
94 during operation, which could damage delicate internal
components.
Further, a microprocessor could be positioned in the sensor
assembly 10 in addition to, or in place of, the amplifier 60. The
microprocessor could process signals from the transducer 48 within
the sensor assembly 10 and transmit a resultant data signal to the
control unit 52. The additional microprocessor could also be
configured to close the switch 134 to connect the heating coil wire
96 to the current source 102. Still further, the heating coil 94
could be configured so that the wire 94 windings extend
transversely between the shell top and bottom surfaces 82 and 84.
Such a heating coil could extend around all or only a portion of
the circumference of the shell 78. Such a configuration could be
preferable when only components positioned on one side of the shell
78 require heating.
Still further, while a single sensor housing, mounting socket 16,
is illustrated herein, it should be appreciated that the sensor
assembly 10 of the present invention can be configured for use with
a variety of sensor housings. For instance, the sensor assembly 10
could be positioned in a mounting socket which is configured for
mounting on top of a vehicle 14 surface, such as the upper surface
of the vehicle bumper 12. Such a mounting socket could include an
upper plate and a lower plate which define a central recess when
secured together. The sensor assembly 10 could be positioned in the
recess so the transducer 48 can direct signals toward the rear of
the vehicle 14.
In addition, the sensor assembly 10 could be mounted in a mounting
socket which is recessed within a surface of the vehicle 14 so the
top of the transducer 48 is flush with the vehicle 14 surface when
the sensor assembly 10 is assembled. One such mounting socket could
include a sleeve which is adhered to the outer surface of the shell
78 by a suitable means, such as an adhesive or by molding. Such a
sleeve could have an outer surface which is threaded. A housing
component could be positioned in a recess formed in the vehicle,
wherein the housing component defines a recess having a series of
internal threads which are complimentary to the sleeve external
threads. The sleeve could then be threaded into the housing to
secure the sensor assembly 10 to the vehicle 14.
Further, it should be appreciated that the disclosed injection
molding technique for formation of the heating unit 76 could be
modified. For instance, liquid polycarbonate or another suitable
injection moldable liquid material could be substituted for the
polycarbonate resin. If desired, the resin or liquid to be injected
could be heated by an independent heating means either during or
after pressurization.
Still further, any suitable molding technique could be used to form
the heating unit 76. One possible alternative process is cold cast
molding. In this alternative, the work piece core 106 could be cold
molded from polyurethane or another suitable material. The work
piece 124 would be positioned in the mold 126. A suitable material,
such as polyurethane or a two-stage vinyl would then be poured in
the mold 124 around the work piece 124. The added liquid material
and the work piece 124 would be catalyzed in the mold.126 to form
the heating unit 76.
Thus, although particular preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes,
it will be recognized that variations or modifications lie within
the scope of the present invention and do not depart from the
spirit of the invention, as set forth in the foregoing description
and drawings, and in the following claims.
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